That Ch. Bonnet shows up everywhere. It's a great white Bordeaux at the entry level. It goes for around $10 around here. I am going to have to get a bottle this weekend. Maybe it's a white bordeaux open mike weekend?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knowsThat too many people have died?The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the windThe answer is blowin' in the wind.

James Roscoe wrote:That Ch. Bonnet shows up everywhere. It's a great white Bordeaux at the entry level. It goes for around $10 around here. I am going to have to get a bottle this weekend. Maybe it's a white bordeaux open mike weekend?

I did not pick this wine, it was brought to me to taste; as I am presently in Italy, I said "sure!", so to also learn more about Bordeaux. My notes on this wine are in the wine travel section.

A salami made out of trout, the fish. At first I thought I would need to pass, but I gave it a try and it was quite delicate, and went well with the radicchio and fennel, and mustard. It was not fishy at all, just ever slightly seafood-ish and quite earthy with all the flavors. Umbria has a lot of trout in her rivers.

Paulo in Philly wrote: Last summer I got to visit Montepulciano and Pienza, town of pecorino!!!! Hope you had a great honeymoon!!!

Monteplciano is delightful, isn't it? We had a fun week there a several years ago. It was a good jumping off point to visit some of the other hill towns.

And more about the radicchio/fennel salad -- were they shaved, chunked, steamed or fresh? I was thinking of making some sort of salad using these two items (without the trout salami of course), but was not sure how to combine. I thought to maybe grill both and combine with a light dressing.

That would majke a great Focus topic come summer. Not that I can wait until summer to have another White Bordeaux, in fact I am going to pick up some today, a 05 Chateau Magneau that I was SOO impressed with. Was $13 here, should be less where you are--it's worth seeking out.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Great pics, Paulo. Very impressive. Descriptions of food are tantalizing, but pictures of food are inspiring. It really puts the dish into perspective. I'm suddenly tempted to copy that salad presentation for a dinner I'm doing tonight.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

That would majke a great Focus topic come summer. Not that I can wait until summer to have another White Bordeaux, in fact I am going to pick up some today, a 05 Chateau Magneau that I was SOO impressed with. Was $13 here, should be less where you are--it's worth seeking out.

I will look for it. I love the pics of the presentation too. We are doing Asian tonight here. A friend has promised to come over and introduce us to the world of real curries. I figure some Auslese Riesling or a nice Gruner might doe the trick. We a re all wine geeks.

Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knowsThat too many people have died?The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the windThe answer is blowin' in the wind.

Jenise wrote:Great pics, Paulo. Very impressive. Descriptions of food are tantalizing, but pictures of food are inspiring. It really puts the dish into perspective. I'm suddenly tempted to copy that salad presentation for a dinner I'm doing tonight.

Thank you, Jenise. I am trying to write more and sing less!!!! I also think pictures are crucial, plus, it's fun and colorful!!! Glad the salad inspired your creativity!

Ryan D wrote:We were in Montepulciano for 3 days, actually, and ate at the cafe with the view.

Was it Caffe Poliziano -- the art nouveau style restaurant with the two tiny balconies out back that overlooked the valley? Did you go to the little enotecca/agriculture shop Zazzeri that was located just down below the canonry (cononica) to the Madonna di San Biagio? They had a picnic table outside overlooking the valley, also. What a delightful town. I would love to go back there again, and again, and again.

Ryan D wrote:We were in Montepulciano for 3 days, actually, and ate at the cafe with the view.

Was it Caffe Poliziano -- the art nouveau style restaurant with the two tiny balconies out back that overlooked the valley? Did you go to the little enotecca/agriculture shop Zazzeri that was located just down below the canonry (cononica) to the Madonna di San Biagio? They had a picnic table outside overlooking the valley, also. What a delightful town. I would love to go back there again, and again, and again.

Martha and Ryan:

I did go to Caffe Poliziano when I was in Montepulciano last August! I was able to get a table on one of the balconies! It was truly lovely! Had a glass of prosecco there!!!